Saturday, Sister Laurel was baptized at the chapel. The baptismal service was stellar, one of the best I have been to. The Spirit was very strong for all who were in attendance. Bishop Ali, the man in the picture did the ordinance. At the end of the service there was kind of an unplanned testimony meeting where a bunch of the members stood up and bore their testimonies of the Gospel. It was really great. Laurel and her kids were there, with her boyfriend and sister as well, who are starting to kind of show interest. I know that they felt the Spirit at the service for sure.
One of the spiritual experiences I had was during the baptismal service, well actually, back at home while I was preparing lunch. As I was cutting something, I remembered something Laurel had said at the end of the service. We asked her if there was anything that we could do for her, and she told us "pray for my boyfriend that he will change" She was glad that he was fully supporting her with her decision to be baptized, but she wanted him to change, and to accept the Gospel himself too. I didn't realize it until I was thinking about it during lunch. When the scripture came to mind in 1 Nephi 8:12 where Lehi partook of the fruit of the tree and immediately cast his eyes round about looking for his family, because he desired them to partake of the fruit of the tree. Even though he technically isn't her family (yet), hopefully they ar she instantly after baptism desired him to partake of the fruit of the Gospel too. It was like one of those "Today is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" kinds of moments. I love to see the scriptures fulfilled, for truly it is a fruit whereby we can know its truthfulness. I know this church is true and the Restored Gospel also. I know the Book of Mormon is true!!!
I went on an exchange with Elder Garner on Friday, and they asked me to do a baptismal interview in Spanish for a man named Gustavo who will be baptized in the Port of Spain ward. After not having spoken Spanish for like 2 months now, it took some adjustment for a second, but the interview went really well. He lives with a returned missionary from Venezuela and his family, so afterwards we had some delicious Venezuelan food.
Christmas was wonderful. We went to Elder and Sister Williams apartment to do skype calls and to watch "It's a wonderful life" which President Baird allowed us to watch. The Williams made us Christmas dinner, ham and funeral potatoes. It was just like home. The Williams are the best. Unfortunately we had to be back in the apartment by 6 Christmas eve, Christmas, New Years Eve and New years, because of the much eating drinking and being merry here in the Carribean. haha
Yesterday Elder Hoard and I started teaching a very nice Venezuelan family, who are here working to try to support their families. As well, an investigator we have had for forever, Kizzy, has finally decided to be baptized in January. The situation with her and her boyfriend has been hindering progress for a long time now, and this week he moved out, so that Kizzy and her kids can be baptized. This coming week will be "Aunty Pearl"s baptism. She is a relative of the Relief Society President. Since she lives outside our area the Valsayn Elders have been teaching her after we started teaching her, but since she is going to move her records over to the Arima branch, her baptism will be happening here this next Saturday. We are excited for that too
Have a happy New Year,
Elder Porritt
Laurel's Baptism
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